The Letters

by David Zellnik

Henry studies dead languages. Rachel studies living languages. And Rajiv is the artist who lives with them both in a squat in Berlin, enmeshed in a post-collegiate tangle of love, sex, and friendship. 14 years later, Henry is gone, the long engagement of Rajiv and Rachel is fraying, and Rajiv can’t quite admit his feelings for his workmate, Laura. In the course of one day, the four characters of THE LETTERS must...

Henry studies dead languages. Rachel studies living languages. And Rajiv is the artist who lives with them both in a squat in Berlin, enmeshed in a post-collegiate tangle of love, sex, and friendship. 14 years later, Henry is gone, the long engagement of Rajiv and Rachel is fraying, and Rajiv can’t quite admit his feelings for his workmate, Laura. In the course of one day, the four characters of THE LETTERS must wrestle with the past and chart the future in a language they still have to create.

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The Letters

Recommended by

  • Bridge Street Theatre: The Letters by David Zellnik
    “

    Why in the name of all that's sacred has this not received a second production?? We presented the world premiere in 2019 at our little space in Catskill, NY, and I'm not sure there's a more moving, more perfect new play available right now.

    Why in the name of all that's sacred has this not received a second production?? We presented the world premiere in 2019 at our little space in Catskill, NY, and I'm not sure there's a more moving, more perfect new play available right now.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: The Letters by David Zellnik
    “

    Perfect. Humans are complicated, relationships are complicated, life is complicated. In one day these four wrestle with it all and the future they want to create. Well done!

    Perfect. Humans are complicated, relationships are complicated, life is complicated. In one day these four wrestle with it all and the future they want to create. Well done!

    ”

Character Information

The actor playing Rajiv should be of South Asian heritage, or have enough heritage from this part of the world so that the name makes sense.

The other roles can be cast with people of any background, however: at least one of these other three roles should be cast with an actor of color. I feel this helps embody one of the themes of the play: how words in general (and Proto-Indo-European in particular) diffused across time and space and cultures. In the premiere, Laura was played by an African-American actor, which works well.

My advice is to skew younger in casting Rajiv and Rachel – it’s okay if they look slightly too youthful to be leading their “middle-aged” lives; it’s more important they can plausibly be seen as 22 in the Berlin scenes.
  • RAJIV
    Rajiv is an artist, a questing soul, and very attractive. He lives off his charm and creates magic in a room... but is rarely aware of the consequences that might lead to.
    Age 34, also 22
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • RACHEL
    Rachel is smart as a whip and can take care of herself. Her strength is real but covers a genuine hurt and desire to connect.
    Age 34, also 22
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • HENRY
    Henry is a dreamer, incredibly vulnerable, and loses himself in ancient languages and romantic notions of the world. He is in love with his friends in ways it is hard for him to admit to himself.
    Age 34, also 22
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • LAURA
    Laura is still figuring all out, but has a good head on her shoulders. Part of her is eager to throw herself at the world., and the other part utterly confused where to begin.
    22
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, New York Stage and Film, 2018
  • Reading, Ensemble Studio Theatre, 2017

Production History